title: Phytotechnologies--preventing exposures, improving public health.
abstract: Phytotechnologies have potential to reduce the amount or toxicity of deleterious chemicals and agents, and thereby, can reduce human exposures to hazardous substances. As such, phytotechnologies are tools for primary prevention in public health. Recent research demonstrates phytotechnologies can be uniquely tailored for effective exposure prevention in a variety of applications. In addition to exposure prevention, plants can be used as sensors to identify environmental contamination and potential exposures. In this paper, we have presented applications and research developments in a framework to illustrate how phytotechnologies can meet basic public health needs for access to clean water, air, and food. Because communities can often integrate plant-based technologies at minimal cost and with low infrastructure needs, the use of these technologies can be applied broadly to minimize potential contaminant exposure and improve environmental quality. These natural treatment systems also provide valuable ecosystem services to communities and society. In the future, integrating and coordinating phytotechnology activities with public health research will allow technology development focused on prevention of environmental exposures to toxic compounds. Hence, phytotechnologies may provide sustainable solutions to environmental exposure challenges, improving public health and potentially reducing the burden of disease.
authors.affiliation: Superfund Research Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, PO Box 12233 K 304, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. henryh@niehs.nih.gov
authors.forename: Heather F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Joel G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Burken
authors.forename: Raina M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: Lee A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rock
authors.forename: Jerald L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Schnoor
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Suk
mesh_terms: D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control; D001709:Biotechnology; D003906:Developing Countries; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D059022:Food Safety; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D011322:Primary Prevention; D011634:Public Health; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances